Never Give Up! The Outcome is Sure

Come Follow Me August 17-23

In the space of 28 years the Nephites had eight chief judges. Three of them were assassinated, one died in battle, one was tried and executed for treason, two died of natural causes, and one gave up the judgeship to preach the gospel. They lost most of their lands to the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters and then gained them back. The church brought in tens and thousands of people and then became full of pride and dwindled. The Lamanites became righteous and the Nephites wicked.

Much like the Nephites, we live in scary and uncertain times. Wars, both physical and spiritual are increasing. The advantage we have, and it is a huge advantage, is we already know the outcome of the spiritual war. Some of you may not be football fans but bear with me on this analogy.

“BYU had never won a bowl game in school history…For the first 56 minutes of the 1980 Holiday Bowl, it seemed the Cougars were destined for another defeat. BYU’s defense couldn’t handle SMU’s offense, …With just four minutes left in the game, the Mustangs scored to take a commanding 45–25 lead. Many BYU fans started leaving the stadium. McMahon screamed at them, declaring that the game wasn’t over yet.”

“He promptly threw a touchdown pass to Matt Braga, and BYU recovered an onside kick. The Cougars quickly marched down the field, ending the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Scott Phillips. SMU’s lead had now been trimmed to 45–39. The Cougar defense forced the Mustangs to punt on their next possession. BYU’s Bill Schoepflin blocked the punt by SMU’s Eric Kaifes with 13 seconds left. The Cougar offense took over at the 41-yard line, with a last chance to win the game. After throwing two incomplete passes, McMahon launched a Hail Mary into the end zone as time expired. Smothered by four SMU defenders, BYU tight end Clay Brown somehow managed to leap above them and haul in the football, scoring one of the most miraculous touchdowns in college football history. With the score tied, BYU’s Kurt Gunther kicked the winning extra point to give the Cougars a miracle 46–45 victory. BYU scored 21 points in the last 2:33.”

1980 Holiday Bowl
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Like the fans at the BYU game, you may want to leave the game or sit on the sidelines. Christ will not sit out this battle and neither will Satan. Our only safety is joining the fight and being on the right side. If you are discouraged, I echo what Jim McMahon screamed to those fans, “The game is not over!”

“Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. True, there will be some individuals who will fall away; but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its head—even Jesus Christ. …Now is the great day of the devil’s power, with the greatest mass murderers of all time living among us. But now is also the great day of the Lord’s power, with the greatest number ever of priesthood holders on the earth. And the showdown is fast approaching ….The final outcome is certain—the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight—and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission? … Fortunately for us, we have the privilege of fighting under the Lord’s banner.”

In His Steps
EZRA TAFT BENSON
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
March 4, 1979

In any battle, communication is necessary for victory. We cannot see the scope and breadth of the battlefield. Without direct communication, we will not receive the vital direction we need to save ourselves and others. Is it any reason we are continually encouraged to learn how to receive personal revelation? Are there any of us who would not want the promised blessings listed below?

“What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. I promise miracles in your marriage, family relationships, and daily work. And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life.”

Hear Him
By President Russell M. Nelson
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Pick one little thing you can do this week to help you not only “Hear Him” but follow Him.